Cambridge Stud mare Joliestar has been locked in for next month’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m) following slot holder Chris Waller Racing and Partners announcement that she will be their representative in this year’s edition.

It will be the second consecutive year the Group One-winning daughter of Zoustar has represented the Chris Waller Racing and Partners slot, having finished seventh in last year’s running.

Joliestar has been all class on the track since that run, winning the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Gr.1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m), and runner-up in the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) behind Kiwi-bred Jimmysstar, who will also line-up in The Everest.

Trainer Chris Waller has been pleased with her progression and is excited to test her talent in the world’s richest turf race once more.

"She's just gone from strength-to-strength," he said. "What she did in the Newmarket was exceptional, and to back it up in Brisbane shows the quality she possesses.

“She's matured beautifully and we couldn't be more excited to have her back for The Everest."

Cambridge Stud principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay are pleased to renew their association with the slot holders and they are looking forward to seeing their mare take on the world’s best sprinters next month.

"Joliestar means a great deal to us," Sir Brendan Lindsay said. "She's not only flying the flag for Cambridge Stud in Australia, but she's also building a legacy that will one day return home with her to New Zealand.

“She had already achieved so much early in her career, but now she's elevating herself into that top echelon, arguably one of Australia's best sprinters. To see her represent our farm on a stage like The Everest is incredibly special."

Joliestar will begin her preparation towards The Everest in the Gr.2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday, a race she placed in last year.

“Zac Lloyd has ridden her before when second in the All Aged Stakes,” Waller said. “She has come back really well and it’s a nice starting point.”

Joliestar becomes the third Kiwi connected contender for next month’s The Everest, with New Zealand-breds Ka Ying Rising and Jimmysstar set to represent the Hong Kong Jockey Club and TAB slots respectively.

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NZ Racing Desk

Hello Youmzain’s star daughter Platinum Diamond has picked up where she left off last season with another stylish stakes victory.

The Lisa Latta-trained representative ended her juvenile campaign with wins in the Listed Castletown Stakes and Listed Ryder Stakes and opened her three-year-old season in style with victory in the Listed Wanganui Guineas.

“She’s pretty special and she paraded a bit fresh, but she’s a smart filly and just keeps stepping up,” Latta said.

“We may head south early because there’s a lack of three-year-old races in the Central Districts and I don’t want to travel her up north if she’s going to the 1000 Guineas.”

The filly was tardily away to settle back of midfield before improving wide across the top and, when asked for a serious effort by rider Bruno Querioz, proved superior in the run home.

“She’s an amazing horse, the victory was very precious and she was so strong over the last 300 metres,” he said.

Platinum Diamond was bred by Beaufort Downs and was purchased out of their draft for $90,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.

She is a daughter of the Thorn Park mare Spritz who is a half-sister to the dam of the G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes winner and multiple stakes black type Aotea Lad.

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Chaldean and Hello Youmzain arrived back at Cambridge Stud safely following their trip from Europe. Chaldean returns from Juddmonte Farm in England for his second season while Hello Youmzain is shuttling from Haras d'Etreham in France for the fifth time.

It was a reunion of sorts for our GM Ben Tappenden who foaled Chaldean back in 2020 at Whitsbury Manor Stud and was on hand to welcome our son of Frankel back to Cambridge Stud for the season.